Daniel 12:5-13

5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on 1this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream.
6 And someone said to 2the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream,[a]3"How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?"
7 And I heard 4the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; 5he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and 6swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a 7time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of 8the power of 9the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished.
8 I heard, 10but I did not understand. Then I said, "O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?"
9 He said, 11"Go your way, Daniel, 12for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
10 13Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but 14the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, 15but those who are wise shall understand.
11 And from the time that 16the regular burnt offering is taken away and 17the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.
12 18Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days.
13 19But go your way till the end. 20And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at 21the end of the days."

Daniel 12:5-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL 12

This chapter begins with an account of a time of exceeding great trouble to the people of God, who are comforted with the consideration of Michael the great Prince being on their side, and with a promise of deliverance, with the resurrection of the dead, and the glorious state of wise and good men upon that, Da 12:1-3, and Daniel is ordered to shut up and seal the book of the prophecy, until a time when it should be better understood, Da 12:4, next follows a question put by an angel to Christ, and his answer to it, with respect to the time of the fulfilment of those wonderful events, Da 12:5-7. Daniel, not understanding what he heard, asks what would be the end of those things, Da 12:8 in answer to which he is bid to be content with what he knew; no alteration would be among men; things would be neither better nor worse with them, Da 12:9,10, a time is fixed for the accomplishment of all, Da 12:11,12, and it is promised him that he should have rest after death, and rise again, and have his lot and share with the blessed, Da 12:13.

Cross References 21

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or who was upstream; also verse 7
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.